Can't reach site when using VPN

[aih]

Started the other day, so far as I know. When VPN (PIA) is on, I get "can't reach this page" in browser (Edge). I noticed at the same time that I was able to reach the site from browser on smartphone (no VPN), then thought to turn off VPN on laptop and see. With VPN off, can reach page. VPN on, can't reach page.

Maybe this is for security reasons (?), bots, etc. Problem for me is I will always use VPN on laptop when traveling (public wifi and all that), so I won't be accessing the site from laptop when not at home on my own network. (I will still use site from smartphone when on mobile wireless and not wifi.)

[drmoss_ca]

Using the same VPN, I can connect to SMF (I generally use the Montreal connection), but not to another favourite forum - macintouch.

C.

[aih]

After I posted it occurred to me that I should have looked at my VPN connection location. I'll give that a look and post an update.

Edit: Thanks for the tip. The mystery deepens. Here are results of my experimentation....

us east coast problem
us california problem
us florida problem
uk london problem
ca montreal ok
ca toronto ok
aus sydney ok
us east coast problem

So, for some reason, connection location matters. (And when using VPN I'll just need to choose a connection location that works with SMF. Small adaptation.)

[drmoss_ca]

I suspect this means that when Vince set things up he included blocks of banned IP addresses that are associated with spam activity.

[aih]

That was my guess too. At any rate, I've had PIA set to automatically select connection location, and I first noticed this maybe Friday or Saturday. I can work around it.

[VinceFX]

Hey guys...I have a feeling this is due to the SMF server not having an SSL certificate setup. I'm going to activate SSL to see if this resolves your VPN connectivity issue. Will update you again soon.

Best,
Vince

[VinceFX]

Ok guys...go ahead and try to load the site again from a VPN connection where you previously had problems and post results here.

Hopefully this resolves the connectivity issue and makes it easier to access the site.

Vince

[drmoss_ca]

I've just tried Montreal, California, US Midwest and Melbourne AU as purported VPN origins, and had no problems.

C.

[VinceFX]

I've just tried Montreal, California, US Midwest and Melbourne AU as purported VPN origins, and had no problems.

C.

Thanks for the update Chris! I'm still curious to know if Ira (aih) can connect from the US regions where he was originally having problems.

@aih please update us when you get a chance!

[drmoss_ca]

I don't know that Private Internet Access as a VPN does what it says. I'm currently connected as being in Montreal, but if I go to Google News it serves me District of Columbia as my 'Local News'!

C.

[Ferdekalen]

Check with the VPN provider's customer support to see if they can offer any solutions.

[Dasperedyn]

I understand that you're having trouble accessing a certain website when using your VPN (PIA).
One possibility is that the website you're trying to access is blocked by your VPN provider for security reasons. Some VPNs block access to certain websites that are known to be malicious or dangerous. Another option to consider is using a proxy service which can be a cheaper alternative to a VPN and still keep you safe and private online. You can check proxy pricing for some possible solutions.
It's also possible that the website you're trying to access is blocking VPN connections.